News & Match Reports

Brent Girls U11s 1-1 Woking

Saturday 9th May saw Brent Girls play their first ever competitive game against league leaders Woking. Having won their previous two games and scoring 9 in the process, the Brent Girls started quickly and with great purpose. Jada Pollendine was outstanding on the right, confidently taking on and beating her defender on three occasions in the first ten minutes, but each time, star striker Millie Glover was thwarted by a last ditch challenge or a great save. On the left Edie Sunman was showing great trickery and on 12 minutes an incisive one-two with Ciara O'Rourke saw her get in behind the Woking backline. Her final cross was only millimetres away from the on rushing Glover who looked the most likely to break the deadlock.

It was little surprise when with the next attack two minutes later, captain O'Rourke took it upon herself to make the difference as she danced almost Messi-like past four defenders before firing low and hard from the edge of the area. Leading goal scorer Glover was perfectly positioned at the backpost to tap in. Brent were deservedly ahead and that was how it stayed until the break and the Girls' looked comfortable. Second half continued with Brent dominating the early exchanges, with Glover twice being denied by good low saves from the opposing goalkeeper. Then on 40 minutes, out of nowhere came an equaliser that stunned the crowd. A long ball forward from the back somehow bounced and bobbled past both Brent centrebacks and into the path of the Woking forward. Her scuffed shot then somehow trickled into the bottom left hand corner of the net. The goal changed the game completely and suddenly Woking began to look very dangerous - had it not been for some incredible defending by Jasmine Warrington-Mainoo and Jessica Kwayie and two outstanding saves by stand-in keeper Christiane Assaad, Brent could easily have lost a game they dominated for large parts.

However in the last minute substitute Noelani Agyeman found showed great strength to force her way through on the right, but her cross shot was well saved low down by the Woking keeper.

1-1 was the final score and a first ever league point on the board for the Brent Girls.

Manager Minesh Randeria said afterwards - “The girls were obviously a little disappointed after the game, but it was good to see the way we battled when when things weren't going for us and the opposition started to get on top - it's the first time we've really had to dig deep as a team." “I was impressed that whether we were dominating or being pegged back we kept going with our philosophy of trying to pass the ball and keep possession.” Ronan O’Rourke - Brent Girls U11s Coach.

Brent U15’s continued their campaign with a massive home fixture against Thurrock in the semi finals of the London Cup on Saturday 23rd May.

The game began, with a Brent backline of Kai Watts (Goalkeeper), Calvin Osbourne, Jordon Green, Henry Marku and wing backs, Nico Pennant and Dylan Singh, who all started with a real energy and enthusiasm. They were focussed and organised, which meant they were winning the ball back and setting up attacks which pushed Thurrock back towards their own goal.

This pressing game was a tone continued by the mid-field of Sharmarke Muse,Dean Toddington,Michael Pandford and Nick Constantinou. They were tireless in their pursuit to win the ball back and then showed great skill and technique when they had the ball. Muse was screening the defence and mid field with superb anticipation of play,Pandford and Toddington were combative but were spreading the ball wide to Pennant and Singh with some fantastic passing and Constantinou was linking play with the midfield and striker Harry Russell.

Russell was again showing hunger and desire to put the Thurrock defence under pressure and when Brent won the ball back he showed real skill and intelligence to create chances and openings for a Brent team who were playing their best half of football of the season.

Brent's play was fast and decisive and Thurrock were struggling to cope with the passing and moving from a Brent team who were increasingly confident. With Brent in the ascendency, Green made a perfectly timed slide tackle to win the ball back,the ball was then played to Constantinou who turned and drove at the heart of the Thurrock defence. Russell made a great run and was played through with a superb weighted pass from Constantinou-this allowed Russel time to get the ball out of his feet and delicately chip the ball over the goalkeeper to make the game 1-0 to Brent.

Brent continued to press and work as a unit and were displaying great ability on and off the ball-the passing and moving at times was a delight to watch and it allowed Brent to create further chances. Constantinou had an effort well saved by the goalkeeper,Singh had a vicious volley go just wide of the post and Pandford,from a perfect delivered corner from Toddington,had a header acrobatically saved by the Thurrock keeper. However,Thurrock managed to get to half time and keep the score line to 1-0.

Half time 1-0

After some adjustments to the line up, Shaquille Ishmael,Ashlee Hibbert,Isaac D'Andria, Joseph Griffiths and Rory Carlson all joined the play and displayed the same vigour and energy-adding further threat to the Brent attacks and continual solidarity at the back.

Muse,Toddington and Pandford were securing the ball with some combative play and the using the ball with intelligence, sliding in passes for Shaquille Ishmael, and Ashlee Hibbert to test the Thurrock backline. Singh was also having huge success against Thurrock's right back,showing great speed and skill in his one on one duels.

Ishmael was showing glimpses of skill but Russell was reintroduced to play eager to grab himself a second and within seconds,the ball was at his feet. Russell,who had showed a great touch all game, manouvered the ball skillfully past three defenders and was through on goal. With composure in abundance,he slotted the ball home with an accomplished for finish to make it 2-0,leaving Thurrock deflated and Brent U15 on the verge of getting to their first ever cup final.

With Brent now in the ascendency, Brent's play was assured and they saw the game out with a professional attitude,adamant on keeping that clean sheet.Thurrock and a couple of free kicks that could have led to goals with better efforts but nothing troubled Watts, who had a solid game at the back,verbally organising the defence and catching any balls into the box with consumate ease.

The game finished 2-0 and Brent were though the the London Cup Final, where they will face South London in what should be a great day for all involved.

Manager, Kim James, stated after the game,"The team were fantastic today. They showed a real hunger and desire to get to their first ever final and potentially win the double,after already winning the league. A special mention must go to Coach Nico,who joined the team this year.He has had a huge impact,bringing ideas on formations and tactics to the team."

Man of the Match, Harry Russell for showing great skill and scoring 2 goals in a semi final.

Brent U15’s continued their campaign with a home fixture against Newham in the quarter- finals of the London Cup on Wednesday 13th May.

The game began with a Brent backline of Kai Watts (Goalkeeper), Calvin Osbourne, Jordon Green, Joseph Griffiths,Nico Pennant and Dylan Singh, who were being harrrased and harried by the Newham attack which pushed Brent back towards their own goal. This pressing game, allowed the midfield many opportunities to get on the ball and Newham were soon dictating play.

Brent's play was slow and Newham were taking full advantage of a below par performance, creating chance faster chance-however-Kai Watts,man of the match,made stunning save after stunning save,keeping out long shots,winning 3-4 one on ones,collected crosses and basically kept Brent in the game-without Watts, the a sore could have been 4-0 at half time but an heroic performance kept Brent in with a fighting chance.

Half time: 0-0

After a stern half time team talk, Brent showed character and started the second half with vigour and energy.

The holding two in midfield, of Dean Toddington and Michael Pandford were securing the ball with some combative play and the using the ball with intelligence, sliding in passes for Shaquille Ishmael, Nick Constantinou and Ashlee Hibbert to test the Newham backline.

However,Brent then let their tempo drop and Newham began to cause problems agaun with pace and power in behind, which was once again halted and controlled by Watts. Watts continued to dominated his area and dictated proceedings. More saves,more bravery and more heroics from Watts, meant with 10 minutes to go the score was still 0-0 and Brent still had a chance at reaching the semi final.

Ishmael,now playing up top had shown glimpses of skill throughout the game but had failed to create an opportunity for himself but then it happened.

A ball over the top put Ishmael through and with the Newham keeper rushing out to shut down the angle, Ishmael delicately lobbed the ball over his head to make in 1-0 to Brent and leave Newham deflated.

After all the pressure and missed opportunities from Newham,Brent had punished them and there was now only going to be one winner.

With Brent now in the ascendancy, Hibbert picked up the ball on the half way line,took the ball on the half turn and drove and the heart of be Newham defence. Twisting and turning he dribbled all the way to the box and with his right foot banged home the ball at the near post to secure the semi final place and a 2-0 victory.

Coach Kim stated after the game," Football is a cruel game at times as Newham definitly deseants to win the game but the team learnt a valuable lesson today- in that - even if you are nor playing at got best, if you can stay in gone game,stick together and show resilience then anything is possible in football."